Chapter 445

Chapter 350: Target

Dorothea thought to herself that since arriving in Tivyán, she had mainly been in contact with various cult members all day. Where would she have the time and money to develop connections within the upper social circles? Now, suddenly, she was asked to meet a royal duke named Despenser. This was indeed perplexing.

‘Ugh… Among my acquaintances, Adele has the highest social status. She’s a big star in all of Tivyán; it’s not impossible for her to come into contact with members of the royal family. Perhaps I could think of some ways through her?’

Dorothea pondered this as she sat in the carriage. For a while, she couldn’t think of any good way to meet Barret. After exhaling deeply, she decided not to dwell on these complicated matters in the cold carriage. Instead, she planned to return home, light a fire, and think about it while warming herself by the fire.

“Hiss… The weather is getting colder, and my mind isn’t working well. I should go home and warm up first.”

Dorothea muttered, rubbing her hands together and breathing out a puff of white vapor, then she instructed the zombie coachman to speed up the carriage.

On the way back, feeling bored, she picked up the newspaper commonly found in the carriage. Since she often traveled in the carriage for hours at a time, there were always plenty of newspapers and books stored inside. Especially newspapers, which she constantly bought new editions of, even in this cold weather where newsboys still sold them on the streets.

Picking up today’s Tivyán Morning News, Dorothea began to read intently. Her scarlet gaze scanned the headlines and news stories, and she was first drawn to the reports about the colonies.

…

“The situation in the New World is worrying. On the morning of the 17th, there was another dispute between the border areas of Kingdom’s Sandshore Province and Farano’s Northwood Province. Farano soldiers repeatedly crossed over and were stopped by our kingdom’s soldiers, leading to a bloody conflict. Farano’s soldiers were expelled, and the current casualties remain unknown…

It is reported that similar conflicts have occurred three times this month. Governor Mitchell urges the kingdom government to pay attention to the Faraluo issue in the New World. He stated that the threat posed by Faraluo to the kingdom’s various colonial territories far exceeds that of the natives. He needs more soldiers to defend the kingdom’s interests.”

…

‘The situation in the New World seems to be worsening rather than easing. Moreover, regarding the Prity colony, their conflicts have shifted from those with the indigenous people to those with Faraluo. Now, the governor is even requesting reinforcements from the homeland. Is this leading to war?’

As she read this report, Dorothea thought. She had been closely following the news about the Prity colony in the New World since May this year. Over the past seven months, the tension had gradually increased. Now, it seemed to have reached the point where the governor was requesting troops from the homeland.

“In short, I hope nothing serious happens…”

Dorothea said, then shifted her attention to the next news item.

…

“The official investigation results for the explosion incident that occurred in Adoton District on the 15th have been released. The army stated that the explosion was caused by improper handling of ammunition transport. The relevant responsible person has been held accountable. There is no possibility of other forces deliberately causing destruction. The explosion did not result in any casualties. Please rest assured, citizens.”

…

‘Hmm… The official handling result for the last explosion incident has come out. Although there weren’t many people in that area, it still needed an official explanation. I wonder how those folks from the Crypts are doing in the bureau?’

Dorothea pondered as she read this article closely related to her. Then, without giving it much thought, she continued to flip through the pages, looking at the subsequent news content.

Then, the next news item immediately caught her eye.

…

“Breaking News! Princess Isabel announced that on the evening of December 31st, she will hold a New Year’s Eve party in the Bishop Square in the southern district, declaring that she will spend the final moments of this year with the general public and welcome the arrival of the new year!

Princess Isabel has hosted numerous speeches and gatherings for commoners before, but this New Year’s Eve party will be the first.

According to Princess Isabel, this event is different from her previous speeches. This party will be a celebration open to all citizens, free of charge. She has also invited many important figures in Tivyán and even other members of the royal family, and has prepared a surprise for everyone.

It is understood that according to Princess Isabel’s usual practices, this party may later evolve into a charitable donation event for the poor. However, even so, several important individuals who have been invited by the princess have already announced their attendance, including Duke Saranchi, a member of the royal family, and the esteemed Duke Barlett Despenser…”

…

Seated in the carriage, holding the newspaper, her eyes fixed on the names appearing in the news—Barlett Despenser and Duke Saranchi.

Earlier, Misha had revealed that the possessor of information about the Mirror Moon Goddess would attend the New Year’s Eve party hosted by Princess Isabel on the 31st. And this party was both for distinguished guests and for the general public. Wasn’t this precisely an opportunity?

“This party… If handled properly, it might create an opportunity to meet that duke…”

Looking at the newspaper, Dorothea mused. For her, now was an opportunity to try to meet this Duke Barret.

Closing the newspaper, Dorothea glanced at the date in the corner—it was December 19th, leaving more than ten days until the party.

“Heh… It seems I need to visit the interdimensional New Year’s Eve celebration this year…”

Putting away the newspaper, Dorothea gazed out the carriage window at the falling snow, muttering softly.

…

In a beautifully decorated room somewhere in Tivyán, on an open balcony, a young man with neat brown hair and fair, handsome features stood in the cold wind, dressed in a vest shirt.

The biting cold wind blew against his slender figure, but he showed no reaction. At that moment, he was reading a newspaper in the wind. This newspaper was today’s Tivyán Morning News, and the section he was reading was about Princess Isabel announcing the New Year’s Eve party.

Just as the young man was reading the paper, a large, terrifying black spider quickly crawled out from his sleeve, climbing up his hand onto the newspaper. After wandering around for a while, it stopped beside a name on the paper—the name was Barlett Despenser.